It was just past nine when Dean woke. He yawned, rubbing his fist over his eyes as his eyes adjusted to the dim light of the morning that was just peeking through the windows. The hunter kicked off the blankets, stretched, and stepped into the bathroom. The sight of his reflection brought back all the memories of the night before. He had a shining bruise displayed on the right corner of his jaw.

"Son of a bitch…" Dean whispered, putting the tips of his fingers on the bruise. Even with his fading powers, Cass could give one hell of a punch.

Speaking of the night before, where the hell was Sam? He poked his head outside the bathroom. The twin bed was perfectly made, just as it was last night. Dean stepped out of the bathroom and looked outside. The impala wasn't there. Of course it wasn't. Sam took it when getting food.

So what was he going to do now? He was stranded in a hotel room. No car. No brother. He needed help, but Goddammit, he didn't want to ask for it. "Cass, listen. If you care a shit about me or Sam you'll get your ass down here now."

The reply was immediate. "Hello, Dean." Castiel greeted, although his voice was a bit more hesitant. He paused a beat. "Dean-"

"No. Cass don't say it." Dean interrupted immediately. He could read the guilt all over his face. The hunter knew exactly why the angel lost his cool. It wasn't surprising. "All is forgiven. Just don't do it again, got it?" He got an instant nod. Dean exhaled deeply before going on, "I can't find Sam."

Castiel brow furrowed and cocked his head to the side. "Where did you last see him?"

"Last night. Right after the hunt. He was going to get food." Dean replied. "You think you can fly around town once to find him?"

Castiel disappeared without an answer. That would never cease to annoy Dean. He was back a moment later. "Your brother isn't in town anymore."

"Goddammit!" Dean snarled immediately, storming a few feet back. "Then where the hell is he?"

"I don't know." Castiel retorted. He must not have realized it was a rhetorical question. After the glower that got sent his way, he must have picked up pretty quickly though. "I will help you look though."

"Thanks." Dean muttered, running a single hand through his hair as an act of stress. "I'll be ready in ten minutes. Wait here for me." And without waiting for an answer, he walked back into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

He jumped in the shower, just rising off, brushed his teeth, then threw on a t-shirt and pair of jeans. Dean was basically naked when it came to weapons. All he had was a single shot gun. The rest of them were backed safely in the impala which was now missing, along with his little brother.

When he pushed the door back open, he found Castiel right where he left him. Only now, his head was tilted upward slightly, staring up at the ceiling. "You ready?" Dean asked. No reply. He rose his eyebrows. "Hey! Earth to Cass!"

Instantly, a pair of bright blue eyes flicked to him. "I'm ready."

"You feelin' okay?" Dean asked, advancing towards the door and pushing it open. Castiel followed.

"I'm fine." He replied. Dean shot him a look of dis belief. His anger understandable last night, but completely out of character. Since when did Cass start to throw punches when he got angry?

"You sure?"

"I said I'm fine."

"Okay, okay." Dean countered, raising his hands defensively. He didn't press the subject. It wasn't worth another punch in the face. He had bigger things to focus on right now. Sammy, for example. To go searching for his brother, he'd need to "borrow" a car.

Castiel took watch while Dean took the car with easy. It was a second nature by now. "Get in." The hunter barked once he was finished and Castiel obeyed.

Off they drove then, until they were out of town.

They didn't talk much, not even play music. Dean was lost in thought, the worry for his brother rising the more he thought about it. He called his brother on every phone more than once and he never received one reply.

Castiel, on the other hand, looked even more intense than usual. He was staring daggers down at his milky white hands, jaw clenched, mouth pinched. It was a bit worrisome. That was the same expression he had made the night before.

"You sure you okay, man?" Dean asked after an hour and a half of driving in silence.

Slowly, those eyes rolled to Dean, drilling holes straight through him. "Dean, did I not already tell you I was alright?"

"I was just-"

"No." Castiel interrupted more anger in his voice. "I answered your question and now I'm looking for your brother, despite your lack of assistance to me."

Dean was shock. "What the hell is your problem?" He demanded, slamming on the breaks, making Castiel jerked forward. "Why are you acting like such an ass?"

"I'm helping your brother!" Castiel pointed again, colder this time.. "Because that's the only one you care about in your life, correct? Sammy?"

That was too far. Dean lurched towards the angel, grabbing the collar of his trench coat and slamming him into the side window.

On impact, Castiel flinched. The expression of pain wasn't the thing that truly surprised Dean though. It was the fact that his once crystal blue eyes had turned an inky black. They stared back at him, black as coal. Dean's grip faltered which gave Castiel a chance to throw and punch that met him on the cheek. The pale hand struggled with the door, threw it open, and ran. Leaving Dean paralyzed with shock.

This was sign enough for the hunter. At that moment, he knew the demon that was currently holding Cass was the one who had his brother.